If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Freezer Coils Frozen - Appliance tip of the week...

Appliance tip of the week...

Freezer Coils Frozen

The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Freezer coils frozen are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page.
Most Frequent Causes for Freezer coils frozen

The defrost timer turns on the defrost heater several times throughout the day to melt any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. If the defrost heater does not turn on, frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils, and the coils will eventually frost over. In order for the defrost timer to turn on the defrost heater, the defrost timer must advance into the defrost cycle. If the defrost timer is not advancing properly, the defrost heater won’t turn on. To determine if the timer is defective, slowly turn the timer with a screwdriver or by hand. Turn the timer until it clicks. When the timer clicks, the compressor and fans will shut off. If the defrost thermostat and heater are working properly, the heater will turn on. If the heater turns on, this indicates that the timer is defective and must be replaced.

The defrost heater turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. If the defrost heater does not turn on, frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils, and the coils will eventually frost over. To determine if the defrost heater is at fault, use a multimeter to test the defrost heater for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.

The defrost heater turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. Before the defrost heater turns on, the defrost thermostat must sense that the evaporator coils are cold enough. If the coils are cold enough, the defrost thermostat will allow the defrost heater to turn on. (Usually, the temperature of the coils must be below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.) If the thermostat is defective, the defrost heater won’t turn on, causing the evaporator coils to frost over. To determine if the defrost thermostat is at fault, use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If the defrost thermostat does not have continuity, replace it.

The door gasket prevents air from leaking into or out of the freezer. If the door gasket is torn or not creating a reliable seal, or if the freezer is not shut tightly, humid air can leak into the freezer. When this humid air passes over the cold evaporator coils, it condenses and freezes on the coils. If humid air is continually leaking into the freezer, the evaporator coils ice over too quickly, and the defrost cycle isn’t able to keep up. To determine if the gasket is creating a reliable seal, close the freezer door on a $100.00 dollar bill and try to pull the $100.00 dollar bill out of the freezer door. If the $100.00 dollar bill sticks in place, the gasket is creating a good seal. If the $100.00 dollar bill slides out or falls out, the gasket has a leak. Repeat this procedure all the way around the refrigerator door. If, at any point, the $100 dollar bill does not stick, the gasket is defective. If the door gasket is defective, replace it.